Magical Brereton Lion kept up their superb end of season form by becoming the first team to beat league winners Magic Lantern in the Cannock Chase Premier League. This win was Lion's 6th in a row and drags them even further away from the relegation zone that they have been camped in for most of the season.
The Lion were able to field a strong side whilst still resting a few players for the semi final on Tuesday night. JR Dutton was the only recognised sub after a couple of players failed to show for the game. The Lion played an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Corrigan determined not to just sit back and let Lantern attack.
It was obvious early on that The Lantern played direct, overly physical football, relying on a brute of a target man who try's to intimidate the defenders marking him. The Lion defence were up for a battle and both Southwell and Ben Cushen were competing well in the air against this villain. The Lion had a spot of luck early on when a Lantern shot was spilled by Dan Cushen to a Lantern forward who tapped it in. Luckily the ref ruled it out for a foul, with even Dan Cushen himself admitting at the end of the game that it was just a rare mistake and the goal should have stood.
The Lion were trying to get the ball down the flank of Tommy Wright who was looking to use his pace to set up some goals. Crutchley, Daley and Simpson were trying hard to get hold of possesion in the middle of the pitch but the game was a bit scrappy. The Lion were not really looking after the ball well enough at times. Snap shots from 18 yards out followed by Crutchley and Cowlishaw, with both not testing the keeper. The Lion were also guilty of producing som epoor free kick deliverys.
The Lion were a little unlucky to concede from a counter attacking goal not long before half time. A Lion corner was cleared out to Crutchley who made a rare mistake by losing the ball to a Lantern player who launched the ball forward. The visiting forward just beat Dan Cushen to the ball to prod home and make it 0-1 to the visitors.
HT 0-1. Whilst losing at half time it was pleasing to see that The Lion players were well up for the battle and were not lying down. After a calm team talk The Lion were all set to try and get back into the game.
The Lion equalised almost instantly when a clipped ball from right back Southwell made it over the Lantern defence and found Cowlishaw, who was playing up front for the game. Cowlishaw skilfully clipped the ball over the away keeper. 1-1
This goal breathed some fire into The Lion attack with Hackett, Wright, Cowlishaw and Simpson all looking to run at the away defence and make some magic happen. Cowlishaw should have added goal number two when he miskicked slightly when one on one with the keeper. Simpson was now starting to bamboozle the opposition with his skill levels and nearly created a couple of goals with strong running from midfield.
First real part of controversary in the second half when young Jake Daley was jabbed in the face by The Lantern forward. The ref claimed not to see it but this incensed Daley who ended up getting booked for protesting to the ref. Lantern really started acting like the thugs they are with late kicks, elbows, abuse to officialls and late tackles all becoming part of their tactics.
The Lantern had now really lost their way as an attacking force. Every long ball was either met by Ben Cushen's head or the sweeping up Jimmy Matyus. Mark Hackett and Southwell once again confirmed how solid they are at full back by winning evrything from their wingers they were marking. More shoving, elbowing and kicking was happening off the ball. A tricky game for the referee but I felt he was nowhere enar strong enough when he should have been and let Lantern get away with too much rough stuff.
With Daley looking like he was about to be sent off JR Dutton was asked to warm up. Dutton was not relishing the physical side of the game and was fearful of being hit when he stepped onto the pitch. With Lantern now defending deeper and deeper and The Lion really up for getting the winner it was constant Lion attack.
Supersub JR Dutton, was came on as a target man in a swap for Matty Hackett, found the winner with 1o minutes to go. A right wing cross from ? (I am not sure, please tell me who it was!) was met with a looping header by the Frank Gallagher look a like. The ball hit the post and went in.
2-1
Lantern lost their discipline again when they finally had a player sent off late on. Simpson cheekily nutmegged the defender in the corner who chucked in a two footed tackle. Red card. At this point The Lion were superb, keeping the ball well and making the league leaders look average. Clever play from The Lion side who just ran out the clock by playing calm, passing football.
FULL TIME 2-1
A superb Lion victory, and whilst he league table will not change too much now, it was pleasing to see The Lantern not finish the season as undefeated. A great confidence boost for this Lion side going in to 3 semi finals as well.
MOM= Really this award should go to the whole side. To beat this rough Lantern side you cant carry passengers and whilst The Lion are not a physical side every single player stood up for themselves and just played football instead of reacting to the bad sportsmanship from The Lantern. Cushen was superb battling away in defence, Crutchley (Their goal aside) was solid once again and every player busted a gut. But for getting the goal that got The Lion back into the game, holding the ball up so skilfully and never reacting to any of the dirty stuff the award is heading to Cowlishaw. Well done Sam.
